S.A.’s anchors going blue … but why?

If you’re wondering about that pretty new accessory adopted by San Antonio’s TV newscasters this month, I can clear up the mystery.

The blue ribbon pin being worn on dresses and lapels is in support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which starts today and runs through April.

Karen Adams of ChildSafe here, the children advocacy center in Bexar County, said she met with all the local TV stations, both English and Spanish-language, to ask for their help in raising awareness about child abuse and neglect.

“The first to get on board was KSAT and General Manager Phil Lane (see photo of anchorwoman Ursula Pari wearing the ribbon proudly), as well as Fox (KABB) with GM Dean Radla,” Adams wrote in an e-mail.

I’ve already spied the pins on KENS anchorwoman Deborah Knapp and meteorologist Bill Taylor. And according to KABB News Director Keith McMahan, both 9 p.m. co-anchors on the Fox affiliate (Michael Valdes and Grace White, in for the vacationing Cynthia Lee) will be wearing the pins, starting tonight.

Not only have newscasters agreed to wear the ribbons, but “most are doing stories about the issue (Knapp did one that ran on KENS Sunday morning)” Adams said, “as well as having helpful information and resources on websites for viewers that want more information and/or need assistance.”

“Unfortunately,” she added, “San Antonio leads the state of Texas with the most confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect, so we are working to raise awareness about this important issue, and the media are a part of the equation.”

Incidentally, April 10 is “Go Blue Day,” and Adams encourages people to wear blue to work and dress their kids in blue. You can share your special photos with other supporters by posting them on ChildSafe’s Facebook page here.